Spring.



F. G. WINKLER.

SPRING.

1,074,582. Patented Spt.30 ,1913.

IE1- IE2 F m F @MTED d i d llfit a rRnnERroK GEORGE wrnnnna, or BUFFALO, NEW roan, assronon, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, T0 Barium; a. BUR-NS an]; cnrrronzo A. comma, BOTH or BUFFALO, NEW YORK.

SPRING.

Patented Serra-3%},

Application-filed oetoberfaa, 1907. Serial No. 399,759.

T 0 all whom it may concern Be it known that I, FREDERICK Gnome WVINKLER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Buitalo, in the county of Erie and 'State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Springs, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact specrfication'.

subjected to a variable load, a gradually increasing ratio of resistance and in addition to that, to produce such a spring as would enable me to predetermine and govern the intensity and increase or decrease of the re-. sistance of the spring when it shall be subected to a load.

As is well known the springs oi the prior art have been such that their resistance to loads have been entirely incapable of control and such resistance has been one that has increased regularly from the start to the limit of its action and most of such springs, as they have reached their limit of action, have shown a lessening of their progressive increase of resistance. It is a well known characteristic of such springs that when subject ed to a gradually increasing load, their re sistance increases regularly in approximately an arithmetical progression up to a certain limit and after a certain limitis reached, such progressive increase becomes rapidly less until thelimit of resistance is finally reached. This characteristic of that form of springs heretofore in use which are known as leaf spring, somewhat modified by the friction produced by the sliding of the leaves during ,the time that they are acted on by the load. This practically uniyrrsal char-ac teristic of springs of the prior art has been one inherent in the springs and one that could not be controlled or changed in any known practical way.

My springs herein described, are of such a character that I am able to predetermine not only the rate of progressive increase of spring resistance to a load, but also to. determine the nature of that progressive increase. That is to say I am able to produce a spring which may at the will of its maker be given a characteristic such that when subjected to 'as may be desired, and it is aiwai a load, its increase of resistance to that toad may be first substantially an arithmetical in crease and later a geometrical incl-cast ar l after a certain limit reached (which ii 7 may be predetermined), it may have as desired either a greater or-a less geon'ietrical increase or such geometrical increase now be changedin such a way that it tduall I preaches an arithmetical increase of ing power.

In order to make my explanation a little clearer, I will illustrate what it mean by the increase of spring resisting power by to following. illustration :-'ihus, it the spri of the prior art were subjected to an iniiial load which coniprcs d them one unit ot distance, then twice the amount of the load would be necessary to comp through the second unit of dis three times the amount of the initial lead to compress them through the third or tance and four times the amount of t i ti'al loadto compress them through the fourth unit of distance. After a ertain limit is reached, say at seven tiuu amount of the initial load, the resisiin power of the springs may have tilt-crow. that such application of load at that would compress the spring greater unit of distance than the increased load otnnpressed tlltlin Comparing the compression with those of the prior a rt, the ample will serve to show wh: geometrical increase of power: Thus it a unit oi load is pl my spring at the beginning it wil comp; it through a unit of distance: it the in] unit of load is doubled, it will comp spring through its second unit of d I it would be necessary to quadruple the initial load which is applied to my spring to compress it through its third unit of dis tance; and it would require eight times amount of initial load to compress my spit through a fourth unit of distance and teen times the amount of initial load to Colin press the spring through a fifth unit of dis-- tance. These rates of increasing the amount of load would increase substantially according to a continual doubling up of the pro vious load in a regular geometrical incr This rule, however, is subject variations under the ring since control of the makers of the s5 they are able to control the strength of the spring parts, their curve formation, their tension and their resisting power. I For the purpose of more particularly describing and illustrating my invention, I will make reference to the drawings consisting of one sheet and eleven figures in which like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. Figure 1 shows a typical illustration of sone of my springs wherein the resisting power increases in a geometrical progression. Fig. 2 is an illustration of one of my springs wherein the resisting power in creases in a geometrical ratio up to a certain limit and then gradually lessens the rapidity of its increase. Fig. 3 is an illustration of one ofmy springs wherein the resisting power of the spring increases according to a geomet 'cal progression up to a certain limit and then at that limit lessens its progressive increase much more rapidly than the form of spring shown in Fig. 2. Fig. i is another modification of my invention wherein the resisting power starts with a substantially arithmetical increase of resistance and after it has reached a certain limit its resisting power rapidly increases substantially in a geometrical ratio. Fig. 5 shows another modification of my invention wherein the resisting power increases in substantially an arithmetical progression up to a certain limit and then it approaches a geometrical progression but later that is somewhat modified by the combined action of the several partsof the spring. Fig. 6 shows a further modification of my invention wherein its resisting power initially substantially approaches a geometrical ratio of increase, and then at a predetermined limit assumes approximately an arithmetical ratio of increase. Fig. 7 shows a further modification of my invention wherein its resisting power increases substantially according to an arithmetical ratio until a predetermined limit is reached, when it increases substantially in a geometrical ratio until a predetermined limit is reached when it again changes until it increases again substantially according to an arithmetical ratio. Fig. 8 shows a construction having four pivotal points. Fig. 9 shows a spring which is a modification of that shown in Fig. 7. Fig. 10 illustrates a spring where the point of application of the load is changed from the point shown in the other views. Fig. 1]. shows a still ditlerent place and means for applying the load.

It will be noted that in these various views, my springs are shown as combinations of a number of simple springs; in other words, they are compound springs made up of a number of simple spl'il 'js and in Figs. 1, 2.

3, 4:, 5 and it), they a1" simu'n as made up of 1 two mechanical parl-- inertl or united in any other suitable via) In Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,8,10 and 11, l have employed the curve or-wave formed part 10. This wave formed part 10 is united in Fig. 1, with a compound curved part 11. lrVhen a load is applied to the spring illustrated in Fig. l at the point marked 12' in the wave formed part 10 the spring may be secured at the point marked 13 in the curved part 11 and the tendency of the load so applied is immediately to put the wave formed part 10 under ever increasing tension and stretches it so that its waves are gradually flattened. Simultaneously with the flattening of the wave formed part 10, is an ever increasing tension which draws the ends 14 toward the plane passing through points 12 and 13. As soon as the ends 14 move toward the plane passing through the points 12 and 13 and consequently toward each other, the tendency is to straighten out the curves of the curved part 11 and thereby place such part 11 under a-const-antly increasing compression which will become more intense accordin as the angles produced at the joining 0% the parts 10 and 11 with the points 14- become more and more acute. Thus it will be evident that when a load is applied to a spring of the character illustrated in "Fig. 1, simultaneously with the bending of the parts of the spring, there is a compression of the part 11 and a tension of the part 10. Thus the part 10 approaches its limit of tension while the part 11 approaches its limit of compressibility and allows a compression of such character that the points 12 and 13 may be prevented from ever coming in contactcwith each other since the limit of approach can be governed by the tensile strength ofthe material used.

The spring illustrated in Fig. 1 is more especially adapt-able :tor thoseuses in which the loads carried by it are very changeable such as for freight cars, trucks or other similar uses. The central portion of the wave formed part flO'where the load is applied and the central portion of the curved part 11 where the spring is fixed to the body carrying it, are preferably reinforced or strengthened by a greater quantity of metal in order to give to those parts the requisite degree of' strength desired. The ability to reinforce and strengthen these parts of my spring, which in other springs are necessarily always weak, is one of the distinguishing characteristics of my invention.

It is apparent that the movable point 12 and the fixed point '13 in the various constructions shown may be reversed according as convenience may dictate.

in Fig. 2 the wave formed part 1.0 is sub stantially the same as the part 10 in Fig. 1

suitable means to a part 16 which is differentiated fronrthepart 11 in Fig. 1 by a curved neck 17 that is bent inwardly at both rotates applied .at the movable point 12 its first tendency is a slight bending and simultaneously tends to straighten. out and bring under tension the Wave portion 10 and that will be substantially the only efi'ect produced by the act-ion of the spring until a certain limit is reached when the increased load will have reached a certain tensile resistance of the wave formed part 10 when the neck portions 17 of the curved part 16, will be drawn slightly inwardly. As soon ,as this point of action is reached, a certain leverage is'produced by means of the neck portion 17 which tends to straighten out the curve of the part 16 and to curve it slightly oppositely; in other words, it puts the part 16 under compression. The leverage produced by the part 17 causes a slighter degree of resistance than is produced by the acute angle leverage formed at the points 14 in Fig. 1. When the lo'ad is thus applied in Fig. 2, the results of its application will be substantially the same as heretofore de scribed in relation to Fig. 1 except that the progressive increase is modified by the leverage produced at' the point 17 and thus the geometrical ratio of increase is lessened, and especially so, soon after the-part 16 has lost its original curved formation." It will be apparent that the construction shown in Fig.

2, is more particularly adaptable for those uses where the load is not a very changeable load as for example in automobile carriages and passenger coaches.

In Fig. 3 a construction isflshown which is practically identical with that illustrated in Fig. 2 except that the neck portions 17 are increased in size with the result that a still greater leverage is produced until the curved part 16 is straightened out and slightly bent oppositel and thereby the increase of resisting })U t\i'- L as. diminished to a greater degree than would be the case with the construction shown in Fig. 2.

In Fig. 1 the part 10 is identical with the part 10 of Fig. 1 and the part 18 is identical with the part 11 of Fig. 1 except that it is provided with a downwardly bending bill 19 which is secured in a suitable manner to the part 10 and is made a part of the curved portion 18. In this construction the resisting power of the spring increases gently for a longer time at the start than does the resisting power of the construction shown in Fig. 1 until it reaches a limit when the union 2O approaches closely to a contiguous part of the curved portion 18 and the angles becoming very acute, the resisting power rapidly increases to substantially the same as that of Fig. 1.

identical with that shown in Fig. 4, except that the bill portions 19 are greater than ihe construction in Fig. 5 is substantially those shown in Fig. 4 with the effect that the period of the gentle increase of resisting power is lengthened over that described concerning the spring shown in Fig. 4;.

It will be apparent that the resisting power of these various constructions of springs shown, will be governed largely by the amount and character of metal used in the various parts of the springs.

In Fig. 6 the same wave formed part 10 is used in combination with two spiral form parts 21 and 22. The load is applied at the point marked 12. The fixed points of the springs are at the centers of the spirals 23 and 24 which may be secured rigidly to the body carrying the spring. From the description of the constructions heretofore given, it will be apparent that when load is applied at the point marked 12, the first result will be to straighten out the weaker and more sensitive parts of the spring and thus produce a gentle start and a succeeding rapid increase of resisting power substantiallyaccording to a geometrical ratio until it reaches a certain limit when the weight of the load calls into play the resisting action of the stronger parts of the spiral springs 21 and 22 and when this ellect is produced, the resisting power of the springs will approach an arithmetical ratio of increase. This form of spring is more particularly applicable for those uses where a half elliptical spring is used or where a truss would be needed to support the center of the car.

In Fig. 7, a construction is shown similar to that shown in Fig. 6 except that in place of the wave formed part 10, is substituted either a straight line part 25 or a concave part 26 either of which parts may be united in a suitable manner to the spiral portions 21 and 22. It'will be evident that as soon as a load is applied at the point 12 of the straight line part 25,, its immediate effect will be to call into play the spirals 21 and 22 instead of calling them into action at a later stage as they would be in the construction shown in Fig. 6. When the concave part 26 is used, the first action of the load when it is applied at the point 12 will be to produce an arithmetical increase of resistance at first until the part 26 assumes approximately (or has passed) a straight line when the load will call into greater play the spiral springs 21 and 22 and then the action of the spring will be substantially identical with the action produced when the part 25 is used with the spiral springs 21 and 22.

It will be apparent that any of the fixed solid parts of the curved portions 11, 15, and 18 can be cut away and the same results cflccted as though constructed as shown in the first five figures. The rigid frame of the car or body to which the spring is attached would then represent such cut out portions.

In Fig. 8 is shown a diamond shaped construction which has four pivotal points at 29, 30, 31 and 32. At the pivotal point 30 the load may be applied and at 32the spring may be fixed to the frame of the body carrying it or vice versa. This construction 5 shown in Fig. 3.

would be likewise practical even though it had but three pivotal points since for one, say point 31, there could be substituted a gooseneck similar for example to that Uniting the four sides of the diamond are wave formed parts 33 EHICi thQS8 wave formed parts may be increased or dimished in quantity or strength at will. It will be likewise evident that the same wave part may be made of greater strength in'one portion than in another for the purpose of furnishing a more variable resistance to the load. Obviously when a load is applied at the point beginning with a gentle initial resistance, it

will meet with a rapidly increasing resistance as the spring is compressed. When the weight of the load has thrown the points 30 and-32 closely together, then if the wave formed portions do approach the limit of their stretching capacity and therefore approach a tensile strain they will give a greater resistance to the load, but if none ofsuch wave formed portions approach the limit of their stretching capacities, the load resisting power of the spring will rapidly diminish. Thus at the beginning of the application of the load for each unit of compression, there Will be a comparative large movement of the parts 29 and 31. As theweight of the load increases and when the points 30 and 32 have traveled through a unit of distance, the points 29 and 31 will travel only asmallpart of their initial travel.

, Fig. 9 represents a construction which is a modification of the spring illustrated in Fig. 7 in that the straight portion 25 is made in two parts 34 and 35 which are pivoted at the point 36. When the load is applied to .this spring at the point .36 there will be a very gentle movement of the parts 34 and 35 which will not afford great resistance to the load since the motion of the parts of the spring at the start is mainly only a gentle bending of the spiral elements. As the weight of the load increases, there results immediately a tensile strain upon the parts 34 and 35 in addition to the bend.

ing above referred to and thus a greater resistance -is offered to the load and this increase of'tension will increase as the load increases in substantially a geometrical progression up to the limit of the tensile power of the weaker parts of the spring. If the spiral 37 be made stronger than the spiral 35% or oppositely, the travel of the point 36, where the load is applied, will be away from a perpendicular to that point and such vari- -3. aucc from the perpendicular will depend on the respective diiference of strength between the spirals 37 and 38. Such movement from the center could also be produced by placing at the application point 38 a of the load a lever which would direct the travel of the said application point in any desired path. Thus it is evident that the viously the variation of strength of the parts of the spring as'illustrated in Fig. 9 may be made regulatable by winding the spiral up and thus increasing its tension.

The spring shown in Fig. 10 is a modification of some of the other constructions herein illustrated and shows how I am able to chan e the point of application of the load an still preserve the peculiar action of. my spring. Thus normally the point of application in this spring would be at 39, were all its parts constructed, so far strength is concerned, in like manner to those shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. however, the strength of the part 40 increased as shown at 41 the point of ap plication of the load may be changed toward or to point 42 and still the action of'the spring be preserved as hereinbefore ance of the reinforced part 41 and it will be likewise affected by the straightening out of the weaker end of the part 40 as it stretches out toward a straight line.

Fig. 11 illustrates a modification of the spring shown in Fig. 10 wherein I have connected the-reinforced part 41 with a lever 43 pivoted at the points 44 and 45.

The point of application of load is at 45-. In this construction when the load is applied, the travel of the point 45 will be ona curved line which will be governed by the straightening out of the wave formed part 10 which acts against the resistance of thercinforced part 41 solely. The introduction of the lever 43 controls the guiding action such as is produced by'the weaker.

end of the part 40 and thus allows the load It is likewise obvious that in! w itiw of the constructions shown in the "various figures if the parts united by the "e formed parts are initially bent or under tension when united to the other u -tines of the springs. it should be noted that whatever the variation in the tension of the parts of my springs may be, such variation influences very slightly the initial resisting power of the s ring but it very is largely increases the su sequent progressive increased resistance of the spring.

' iarent that my invention consists pie which as applied to springs bio of umerous adaptations and ya in and construction and I do be confined to the examples l. described. s described my invention and operation, what I claim is:

l spring comprising bendor al or n or portions being so arranged that they will respond in a substantially arithmetical progression of resisting power against the pressure of the load, and the stretching portion or portions being so arranged in combination with the bending portion or porti us that the said arithmetical progressive action will be modified into a progressive netrical resistance against the load.

A compound spring comprising bendting and stretching portions the stretching portion or portions being so arranged that ii .y will respond in a substantially geo m trical progression of resisting power .inst the pressure of the load and the ding portion or portions being so ared in combination with the stretching ion or portions that the said geometrical progressive action will be modified in its progressive action A c mpound spring comprising two or more bending portions so combined and ard that one or more of said portions hen under load will respond in a substanly arithmetical progressive resisting tc'thc pressure ofthe load by bendand gradually be brought to a tensile 'ainst one or more other and 1; OJ. me said hending'portions'of the modifying said arithmetical power 'into. a substanical progressive resisting Iii wand spring comprising two or and stretching portions so arwhen under a load one or more K. o he 7 a; db simultaneously bending and it] ens which will respond simulta "1th the first of said portions by and compressing, and being so ar ranged that any deslred modification in the an i stretching portions the bending por-' progressive increase of resistance against the load ,may be obtained.

5. A compound spring comprising two or more bending and stretching portions so an ranged that when under a load one or more of said portions will respond to the action ofthe load by stretching in combination with the other of said portions which will respond simultaneously with the first of said portions by bending and compressing, and being so arranged that any desired modification in the pro essivc increase of resistance against the lot c may be obtained.

6. A compound spring comprising two or more bending and stretching portions so arranged that when under'a load one or more of said portions will respond first in a sub stantially arithmetical progression of resisting power against the pressure of the load and then will respond to the action of said load by simultaneously bending and stretching in combination with the other of said portions which will respond simultaneously with the first of said portions by bending and compressing thereby modifying said arithmetical. progressive resisting power into a substantially geometrical progressive resisting power.

7. A compound spring comprising two or more bending and stretching portions soarranged that when under a load one or more of said portions will respond first in a substantially arithmetical progression of resisting power against the pressure of the load and then will respond to the action of said load by simultaneously. bending and stretching in combination withthe other of said portions which will respond" simultaneously with the first of said portions by bending and compressing; thereby modifying said arithmetical progressive'resisting power into a substantially geometrical progressive resistin power in combination with the comparatively stronger. bending portions under the progressive action of tne load will further modify said resisting power and lessen it in its progressive geometrical action.

8. A compound spring comprising bending and stretchingportions and connecting means between the same, the bending portion or portions being so arranged that they will respond in a substantially arithmetical progression of resisting power against the pressurefoi' the load, the stretching portion or portions being so arranged in combination with the bending portion or portions that the said arithmetical or progressive ac tion will be modified into a progressive geometrical resistance against the load, and

all of the said parts being so combined and arranged that before they are placed under a load one or more of said bending portions will be placed under an elastic tension.

9. A compound spring comprising bendtion "will be plact that when a load ing and stretching portions and Connecting means between the same, the bending portion or portions being so arranged that they will'respond in a substantially arithmetical progression of resisting power against the pressure of the load, the stretching portion or portions'being so arranged in combination with the bending portion or portions hat said arithmetical progressive action will be modified into a progressive geometrical resistance against the load and all of the said parts being so combined and arranged that before they are placed under a load one or more of said bending and stretching portions will be placed under an elastic tension.

10. A compound spring comprising bending and stretching portions and connecting means between the same, the bending portion or portions being so arranged that they will respond in a substantially arithmetical progression of resisting power against the pressure of the load, the stretching portion or portions being so arranged in combination with the bending portion or portions that the said arithmetical progressive action will be modified into a progressive geometrical rcsistance against the load, all of the said parts being so combined and arranged that-before they are placed under a load one or more of said bending portions will be placed under an elastic tension, and also so combined and arranged that when a load is applied one or more of said portions will respond to the action of the load by simultaneously bending and stretching in combination with another of said portions which will simultancmisly'respond with the first pf said portions by bending and compressing.

11. A compound spring comprising bending and stretching portions and connecting means between the same, the bending portion or portions being so arranged that they will respond in a substantially arithmetical progression of resisting power a"a.instthe pressure of the load, the st;- cing portion or portions being so arr-ring in combination with the bending portion or portions that the said arithmetical progressive action will be modified into progressive geometrical resistance against the load, all of the said parts being so combined and a 'ranged that before they areplaced a load one or more of said bendii sioinnnd also so pplim. one or more of said. porti us will id. to the action oi? simulta eously bending and combinaiirm with. another of i i. which will simultaneously respend with the said portions by bending and compressilr p0 clone 12. A compound spring comprising bending and stretching portions and connecting mean between the same, the stretching portion or portions being so arranged that they will respond in a substantially geometrical progression of resisting power against the pressure of the load, the bending portion or portions being so arranged in combination with the stretching portion or portions that the said geometrical progressive action will be modified in its progressive action and all of the said parts being so combined and arranged that before they are placed under aload one or more of said bending portions will be placed under an elastic tension.

13. A compound spring comprising bending and stretching portions and connecting means between the same, the stretching portion or portions being so arranged that they will respond in a substantially geometrical portions being so arranged in combination with the stretching portion or portions that the said geometrical progressive action will be modified in its progressive action. and all of the said parts being so combined and arranged that before they are placed .under a load one or more of said bending and stretching portions will be placed under an elastic tension.

14. A compound spring comprising bending and stretching portions and connecting means between the ame, the stretching por-' tion or portions being so arranged that they will respond in a substantially geometrical progression of resisting power against the pressure of the load, the bending portion or portions being so arranged in combination with the stretching portion or portions that the said geometrical progressive action will be modified in its progressive action, and all of the said parts being 50 combined and arranged that before thcyare placed under a load one or more of said bending portions will be placed under an elastic tension and I tion or portions being so arranged that the? will respond in a substantially geometrical progression of resisting power against the pressure of the load, the bending portion or portions being so arranged in combination with the stretching portion or portions that the said geometrical progressive astion will be modified in. its progressive action, all of the said parts being so combined and arrespond simultaneously with the first of ranged that before they are placed under a said portions by bending and compressing. 10 load one or more of said bending portions In witness whereof I have hereunto set will be placed under an elastic tension, and my hand in the presence of two witnesses.

also so combined and arranged that when a F. GEORGE WINKLER. load is applied one or more of said portions VVHZDBSSBSZ will respond to the action of the load by J. VVM. ELLIS,

stretching and another of said portions will ETHEL A. KELLY. 

